Congress demands more funds for Assam floods

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) The Congress on Friday demanded that the government announce a relief package of Rs 3,888 crore for the floods in Assam and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be more “serious, sympathetic and proactive” about the state.

The party also said the government was showing “step-motherly” attitude towards Assam at a time when Gujarat was given a relief package of Rs 2,000 crore.

“The Prime Minister visited Assam only after the flood situation in state improved. When Assam was reeling under floods, 25,42,000 people were affected and 4,084 villages in 29 districts of Assam were also hit,” said Congress MP from Assam Bhubaneswar Kalita.

“He declared a relief package of Rs. 2,000 crore for the entire northeastern region. But how much Assam will get from this that is not clear. The demand for Assam was Rs. 3,888 crore for the entire relief and rehabilitation work,” he added.

This amount was nothing in comparison to the unprecedented floods in Assam, he said, adding that the Prime Minister only took a review meeting in Guwahati without going to the flood-affected areas.

“The Prime Minister should have been more serious, sympathetic and proactive on Assam as northeastern states have been neglected compared to other states,” Kalita said.